Question

Which is the reason that ionic compounds are brittle?

Answer 1

Answer:

-Ionic solids are brittle and hard because the electrostatic attractions in the solid again hold the ions in definite positions.

Explanation;

-Ionic solids are rigid because the multiple interactions between oppositely charged ions hold the charged particles in relatively fixed positions.

-Ionic compounds are compounds that are formed when two or more substances are bound by ionic bonds. Ionic bonds form when the ions of the elements are oppositely charged and attract one another. Ionic compounds tend to be very brittle and break easily.

Answer 2

In ionic compounds, cation(positively charge) and anions(negatively charge) are attracted to each other, forming bonds. When force is applied, such as hammer strike, ions rearranged and similar charge align. Such as cation with cation and anion with anion. Bonds break when similar charges repel. That is the reason why ionic compounds are brittle.